If you are adventurous and like adrenaline rushes, then have you considered starting off the New Year with a polar bear plunge? “Polar Bear Swims”, “Plunges”, or “Dips”, are a New Year’s Day tradition in numerous countries. Thousands upon thousands of brave souls race toward the icy cold water and then make a mad dash back out. In the USA, folks are freezin’ for a reason as most polar bear plunges are to raise money for a charitable organizations. In Canada and the Netherlands, polar bear plunges are associated with New Year’s Day. 36,000 people participated in ‘Nieuwjaarsduik’, New Year’s dive, January 1st 2012 in the Netherlands. Since 1960, every New Year’s Day, at least 10,000 people dive collectively into the icy cold sea water at Scheveningen which is the Netherlands’ main beach resort town. While New Year’s Day is not the only day for taking up such an extreme sport, for some it is Superbowl Sunday, one thing is the same worldwide for people in polar bear swims . . . the look of shocked faces as if they cannot believe the water is that cold or that they took part in a polar bear plunge. Whether it’s brave, stupid, or simply invigorating, kudos to all those folks! [50 Photos]

Share this:

Polar Bear Swim in Kangasala, Western Finland. The photographer added, “Polar bear swimming on Christmas Eve. It was -26 C (-14 F) out and +90 C (+195 F) in the sauna.” Photo #1 by Karri Ojanen

People take part in a polar bear plunge for all sorts of reasons. For example, this photographer for ‘All the World is Frozen’ explained, “A few friends and I jumped into the lake yesterday and raised some money for families in need – it was a really great time. The water was nowhere near as shocking as one might expect and it was over before it began. Take it from me – if you’re up to it – the polar bear plunge is a great time!” Photo #2 by Justin Kern

Huge crowds show up for some polar bear swims. Look at the excitement as these participants race toward the Hague for a New Year’s Dive. The photographer wrote, “In the Netherlands the 1st of January is traditionally celebrated with a new year’s dive (Nieuwjaarsduik). No matter how cold it is, at least 25.000 people plunge into the freezing water each January. There are over 60 locations in the Netherlands where you can jump into the sea or a lake. The largest dive is held at the beach of Scheveningen, where well over 10,000 people plunge into the sea each year. The number of people actually wanting to participate exceeded 14,000. This was due to the relative warm weather (8 degrees Celsius), compared to other years. The Dutch tradition started in 1960 in Zandvoort when a swim club decided to start the year fresh with a plunge in the sea. The new year’s dive received national attention after a big soup brand decided to sponsor it. From that moment on, the amount of participants and locations has increased every year.” Photo #3 by Maurice (Haags Uitburo)

Two brave girls prepare to take the polar bear plunge, New Year’s Day at Bradford Beach, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo #6 by Dori

From the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim in Lake Ontario. According to the photographer, “Pretty warm weather for it this year (a foggy 7 degrees), but don’t try telling that to these folks. Usually they have to break a big hole in the ice. A festive scene, as always, with a lot of money raised for excellent causes.” Photo #7 by Maggie & Rick

Not everyone enjoys polar bear swims. The photographer in Indianapolis wrote: “The young girl didn’t like the freezing lake. Mother and daughter share a freezing moment as the young girl wanted out.” Right: “She was saved from the freezing water. The Polar Plunge at Eagle Creek Park was too much for the young girl.” Photo #20 by Steve Baker & #21 by Steve Baker

Meanwhile in Michigan: “Every February the residents of Empire venture out doors, not to see if they have a shadow, but to go for a swim in North Bar Lake.” Photo #22 by jsorbieus

“Let the trampling begin.” Polar bear dip Cayucos, California. “A new year’s day tradition to congregate at the ocean and be weird and then jump in the ocean head to toe, for a suitable for framing certificate.” Photo #23 by Elizabeth Haslam

The conditions were just right for Humphreys’ 2nd annual Polar Bear swim here Jan. 9 – 31 degree water, 25 degree outdoor temperature and over 175 people anxious to plunge into the frigid water at Splish and Splash Water Park. “IF you build it, they will come.” The massive military community rising from the rice paddies in South Korea dwarfs anything Kevin Costner’s character might have envisioned in the movie “Field of Dreams.” Photo #39 by U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys

Wow, these are lovely and lighthearted pics of people having fun. These are stress busting pics indeed. Personally, I admire pic #29. They guys in business suit taking a dip look unique. Thanks for sharing!